No. 4 Saints Squeeze Past Belmont Abbey
from press release
GAFFNEY, S.C. — Kelly Oterson's (Islip Terrace,
N.Y.) free-position goal with only 32 seconds left in the game
lifted No. 4- ranked Limestone to a 12-11 victory over Belmont
Abbey in Conference Carolinas lacrosse action on Wednesday
afternoon at Saints Field. The Saints climb to 9-1 on the season
(2-0 conference) as the Crusaders slide to 4-6 overall (2-2
league.)
Limestone took the initial lead out of the gate after Katie Ilott
(Brooklin, Ontario, Canada) won the game's first draw control and
Raquel Prager (Seaford N.Y.) scored on the possession. Belmont
Abbey responded with a goal from Laurie Jordan (Davidsonville,
Md.). The teams traded goals throughout the remainder of the half,
with Limestone holding the 6-5 advantage at halftime.
The Saints opened the second period with back-to-back goals from
Prager and Albro. After a goal from the Abbey's Jordan, Chelsea
Caiazza (Lindenhurst, N.Y.) and Ilott capitalized on free-position
attempts as Limestone took the 10-6 lead. However, the Crusaders
would fight back with four straight goals to tie the score at 10-10
with 12 minutes left in the game.
A goal by Albro gave Limestone another short-lived lead before
Jordan equalized with eight minutes left on a free-position
attempt. With the score tied at 11-11, Belmont Abbey gained
possession at the five minute mark and wouldn't relinquish control
until a turnover by an attackman with only 1:37 left. Limestone
cleared the ball and set up its offense, only to be awarded a
free-position attempt with 32 seconds remaining in regularion.
Oterson recorded the game-winning goal, and Britt Howard (Oswego,
N.Y.) won the final draw control of the game as the Saints ran down
the clock for the win.
The Saints held the 31-21 advantage on shots and the 14-11
advantage on draw controls. Both teams had 12 ground balls.
Limestone was 12-14 on clears as the Crusaders were 15-16.
Prager and Albro led Limestone with three goals apiece, as Chelsea
Treat (Penn Yan, N.Y.) and Oterson scored twice. Ilott and Caiazza
scored one goal each.
The Saints' Howard had a game-high four draw controls as Ilott and
Skylar Marcoux (Woodbine, Md.) had three apiece. Goalkeeper Brigid
Milchling (Cockeysville, Md.) posted five saves in the first 48
minutes as well as a team-high three ground balls. Rashelle
McLellan (East Lyme, Conn.) played in the final 12 minutes in goal
for the Saints and had one save.
Jordan scored three goals for the Abbey as Brianna Dignan (Nashau,
N.H.) and Elyse Mohn (Huntingtown, Md.) had two goals apiece.
Amanda Jones (Owen Sound, Ontario, Canada) led her team with three
draw controls. Jordan and Laura Dowd (Davidsonville, Md.) each had
three ground balls. Goalie Natalie Crenshaw (Forest Hill, Md.) had
12 saves during the game.
The Saints host No. 8 Dowling on Sunday at noon at Saints Field. On
Sunday, Limestone will also be collecting money for the Lax 4 Life
initiative which benefits the Allyson Rose Green Memorial
Foundation. The Allyson Rose Green Memorial Foundation was created
to increase awareness of adolescent suicides and help identify
adolescents at risk. Allyson was the younger sister of West Chester
goalkeeper Mary Beth Green. The women's lacrosse teams in the
Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference started Lax 4 Life last year
and the effort has expanded to include NCAA Division II teams
across the nation.
